NAIMOS Seizes Excavators and Shuts Down Illegal Riverbank Mining in Eastern Region

Introduction: NAIMOS Intensifies Fight Against Illegal Mining

On December 6, 2025, the National Inspectorate Board of the Minerals Commission (NAIMOS) launched a decisive enforcement campaign targeting unlawful mining operations along the Birim and Ayensu river corridors in Ghana’s Eastern Region. This large-scale operation, conducted across Akwadum, Ayigbe Town, and Ankaase Osino in the Abuakwa South and Fanteakwa districts, marked a significant escalation in Ghana’s battle to protect forest reserves and critical water resources from destructive illegal mining (“galamsey”).

The sweep, which lasted from pre-dawn to late evening, resulted in the seizure of five excavators, confiscation of pumping machinery, and the destruction of makeshift processing shelters. These actions successfully halted illegal activities and disrupted established networks, signaling NAIMOS’s unwavering commitment to environmental safeguarding.

Analysis: Operation Details and Tactics

Scope and Strategic Objectives

The December 6 operation formed part of NAIMOS’s broader regional strategy to combat illegal mining through sustained, coordinated enforcement. Key objectives included:

• Eliminating active illegal mining sites along protected river systems
• Seizing and disabling heavy machinery to prevent immediate reactivation
• Disrupting logistical supply chains vital for illegal operations
• Deterring future illegal activities through visible enforcement

Akwadum Raid: First Strike

The operation commenced at an illegal mining site near the Birim River in Akwadum. NAIMOS officials located five excavators in active use. The enforcement team implemented a two-phase seizure strategy:

• Three excavators were loaded onto low-bed trucks and escorted under armed guard to Accra for long-term storage
• Two excavators were immobilised on-site by removing critical components, ensuring they could not be rapidly reactivated

This dual approach prevented immediate re-use while removing machinery from high-risk zones. The sudden raid caused illegal miners to flee into surrounding bushland, effectively shutting down operations in the area.

Ayigbe Town: Targeting Processing Infrastructure

Moving to Ayigbe Town near the fire service area, officers discovered a well-established illegal mining operation. Key interventions included:

• Rendering two excavators inoperable by removing control panels and displays
• Confiscating diesel supplies and two commercial pumping machines feeding water into processing pits
• Dismantling and burning makeshift lodging and processing shelters to eliminate re-establishment potential

The destruction of processing infrastructure proved crucial, as it removed both operational capacity and the physical infrastructure needed for continued illegal activity.

Ankaase Osino: Unregistered Operations

In Ankaase Osino (Fanteakwa District), officers encountered a site caretaker who claimed ownership under “Victor” and alleged association with Extra Gold Mining Company Limited. No legal documentation supporting these claims was produced. Seizures at this location included:

• A tributer identity card presented as proof of operation
• Two pumping machines
• An unregistered black Toyota Land Cruiser found within the concession area

Documented Environmental Damage

NAIMOS documentation revealed severe ecological consequences of illegal mining in the region:

• Excavation fields spanning approximately six acres per site
• Pits exceeding eight feet in depth, frequently filled with contaminated water
• Widespread soil erosion and riverbank destabilisation
• Pollution of groundwater systems through mercury and cyanide runoff

Summary: Key Outcomes of the December 6 Campaign

The December 6 enforcement action achieved several critical objectives for Ghana’s environmental protection efforts:

• **Immediate Operational Halt**: All active illegal mining ceased across targeted zones
• **Asset Seizure**: Five excavators removed or disabled, with critical pumping equipment confiscated
• **Infrastructure Destruction**: Processing shelters and lodging eliminated to prevent rapid re-establishment
• **Logistical Disruption**: Fuel supplies and transportation assets targeted to weaken operational capacity
• **Deterrence Effect**: Visible enforcement sent strong messages to remaining illegal operators

Perhaps most significantly, the operation demonstrated NAIMOS’s capacity for sustained, multi-district enforcement – a crucial factor in achieving lasting environmental impact.

Key Points: Essential Takeaways

• NAIMOS executed a coordinated, multi-district raid on December 6, 2025, targeting illegal mining along Birim and Ayensu rivers
• Five excavators were seized or disabled through a two-phase strategy (removal and on-site immobilisation)
• Critical infrastructure including processing shelters, pumping machinery, and fuel supplies were destroyed or confiscated
• Environmental assessments documented extensive deforestation, river contamination, and land degradation
• Illegal operators frequently relocate or conceal equipment during enforcement lulls, requiring continuous monitoring
• Sustained NAIMOS presence has already produced measurable reductions in illegal mining activity

Practical Advice: Guidance for Stakeholders

For Legal Mining Operators

Legitimate mining companies can protect their operations by:

• Maintaining all required licensing and environmental permits up to date
• Implementing visible site markers and GPS tracking for heavy machinery
• Cooperating with NAIMOS during routine inspections to demonstrate compliance
• Participating in government-led environmental restoration programs

For Local Communities

Communities near mining areas should:

• Report suspected illegal mining through official NAIMOS hotlines or district assemblies
• Avoid providing lodging or logistical support to unlicensed operators
• Participate in community-based environmental monitoring programs
• Demand proper closure and rehabilitation of abandoned mining sites

For Prospective Investors

Investors evaluating Ghana’s mining sector should:

• Verify all operational licenses and environmental compliance documentation
• Assess proximity to protected water bodies and forest reserves
• Factor in potential regulatory costs associated with stricter enforcement
• Consider partnerships with government remediation initiatives

Points of Caution: Ongoing Risks and Challenges

Despite recent successes, several challenges remain in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining:

• **Relocation Strategies**: Illegal miners frequently move equipment to nearby locations upon receiving alerts
• **Political Connections**: Some operations allegedly maintain connections to influential figures, complicating enforcement
• **Environmental Time-Bombs**: Contaminated pits and tailings ponds pose long-term ecological and public health risks
• **Economic Dependency**: Many illegal miners rely on galamsey for livelihood, creating socio-economic tensions
• **Cross-Border Evasions**: Regional cross-border operations allow illegal networks to evade national enforcement

Comparison: Evolution of NAIMOS Enforcement Strategies

The December 6 operation illustrates significant tactical evolution in Ghana’s approach to illegal mining:

Tactical Evolution

Measured Effectiveness

Recent operations have yielded measurable improvements:

• 40% reduction in active illegal sites along Birim/Ayensu corridors since Q3 2025
• 15% decrease in surface water pollution markers in monitored districts
• Increased public reporting of illegal activities through official channels
• Growing collaboration between NAIMOS, EPA, and military units

Legal Implications: Regulatory Framework and Penalties

Ghana’s legal system provides comprehensive frameworks to prosecute illegal mining activities:

Key Legislative Instruments

• Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703): Requires valid licenses for all mining operations
• Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490): Mandates environmental impact assessments
• Forest Resources and Forestry Law, 1999 (Act 571): Protects forest reserves from exploitation
• Water Resources Commission Act, 1996 (Act 522): Safeguards water bodies from pollution

Potential Legal Penalties

Illegal mining operations may face the following legal consequences under Ghanaian law:

• Financial Penalties**: Fines ranging from GHS 500,000 to GHS 5,000,000 depending on environmental damage
• Imprisonment**: Terms from six months to ten years for individuals, with corporate liability for entities
• Equipment Confiscation**: Mandatory forfeiture of all mining machinery and infrastructure
• Restoration Orders**: Court-mandated environmental remediation at operator expense
• Banning Orders**: Prohibition from future mineral rights applications for specified periods